I_MICJS_2022A 07/26/2022 09:32:59 AM Committee Summary

Senator Rodriguez, Chair, made introductory remarks.  Committee members introduced themselves.

Ms. Juliann Jenson, Legislative Council Staff, provided a brief history of the committee and an overview of the interim committee process, including important dates and objectives. She also summarized the committee's bill history (Attachment A).  



Ms. Jane Ritter, Office of Legislative Legal Services, also discussed the goals of the committee and went over changes made in Senate Bill 22-021, the reauthorization bill.  She noted the distinction between behavioral health and mental health.

Ms. Ritter answered additional questions from the committee.

Dr. David Iverson, chair of the advisory task force, provided an overview of task force work over the past year. Dr. Iverson testified about his experience working with patients and behavioral health needs. He provided information on future presentations from the task force.  Dr. Iverson answered questions from the committee.

General information about the task force may be found in Attachments B and C. 

Dr. Iverson discussed potential behavioral health topics for the task force to study, including standards of care and court appointed medical treatment. The committee asked additional questions of Dr. Iverson.

Dr. Iverson was joined at the table by Jack Reid, chair of the data sharing subcommittee. Mr. Reid discussed the strategic plan mandated by Senate Bill 20-037 to develop and implement a justice-to-health trusted interoperability platform to exchange information between different criminal justice agencies.  He discussed federal funds to assist in building the platform. Mr. Reid recommended developing memorandums of understanding between the criminal justice system and behavioral health systems to manage data sharing. Mr. Reid answered questions from the committee about the data subcommittee.

Mr. Reid discussed the data subcommittee's research into Colorado's 911 system.  He discussed information flow between first responders and peace officers.  He further discussed the importance of proper training for 911 operators and their ability to properly route calls. Mr. Reid answered questions from the committee about Colorado's 911 system.

Dr. Iverson introduced Dr. Libby Stuyt, chair of the High Potency Marijuana Subcommittee. Dr. Stuyt discussed the potential impact of high potency marijuana on individuals on probation. Dr. Stuyt answered questions from the committee about the role of the subcommittee. Dr. Stuyt discussed adjusting the scope of the subcommittee to focus on the intersection between medical marijuana, individuals on probation, and substance abuse.

Dr. Stuyt's presentation may be found here:  http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/mj_presentation_for_mhdcjs_committee_july_21_2022.pdf. 

She distributed a handout found at this link:  http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/mj_wh_paper_schaeffer_executive-summary_federal-regulation-of-cannabis-for-public-health-in-the-united-states.pdf. 

Another handout about high potency marijuana is Attachment D. 

Dr. Iverson gave updates on other task force subommittees, including housing, juvenile, and mental health holds.  He reported that the juvenile subcommittee has been focusing on competency to proceed.  He noted the housing subcommittee has changed its focus and membership.  He lastly discussed mental health holds and diversion programs.

 Dr. Iverson answered additional questions from the committee.

A handout about incompetency cases is Attachment E. 

A handout about the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health's Criminal Justice Services is Attachment F. 

Juliann Jenson discussed task force member appointments, as outlined in Senate Bill 22-021.  The Legislative Oversight Committee members formally "grandfathered" certain current members to another two year term.

 

Committee members discussed potential dates for upcoming hearings and scheduled meetings for August 11 and 17 and September 29, 2022.

There was no public testimony.